Science experiments don’t need expensive kits or complicated setups. With simple materials, kids can create reactions, grow crystals, launch rockets, and explore how the world works right at the kitchen table.
Start with a quick activity today, then follow guided learning paths to build real understanding over time. Whether you need a fast boredom-buster, a full lesson, or a science fair idea — you’ll find it here.
Quick Picks
Short on time? Try one of these first:
• mentos soda geyser — a dramatic fizzy eruption
• magic milk color reaction — colors instantly race across the surface
• baking soda balloon — inflate a balloon using a reaction
• lava lamp experiment — create bubbles of color
• cloud in a jar — make a real cloud indoors
How to Use This Page
Choose your path:
• try an experiment now
• learn a topic step-by-step
• follow a science learning track
• plan a project
Start Here: Beginner Science Experiments
These introduce the most important scientific ideas.
Rainbow in a jar
See liquids stack based on density differences.
Floating egg experiment
Learn how density changes whether objects sink or float.
Rubber egg experiment
Observe a chemical reaction to dissolve an eggshell.
Seed germination experiment
Watch how living things grow and change.
Growing crystals
Discover how dissolved solids form repeating structures.
Surface tension soap boat
See invisible forces move objects across water.
What Kids Learn From Science Experiments
Hands-on investigations develop:
• observation skills
• prediction thinking
• cause-and-effect reasoning
• comparing results
• problem solving
Unexpected results are part of learning.
Not Ready for a Full Experiment?
To make science possible on busy days, we use simple investigation starters that help kids begin exploring immediately and come back later to notice changes.
👉 Try printable science activity cards for independent investigations
Try More Easy Science Experiments
Now that you’ve tried a few starter activities, explore experiments grouped by scientific ideas. Each group builds understanding so kids begin recognizing patterns instead of seeing science as random reactions.
Chemistry Experiments (Reactions & Matter)
These investigations show that matter can change, combine, and form new substances.
Try observing gas production, color changes, and oxidation:
- elephant toothpaste experiment
- red cabbage ph indicator
- green penny experiment
- iodine starch test
- lemon juice secret messages
After testing a few reactions, continue learning how substances mix, separate, and transform in our chemistry experiments for kids guide.
Physics Experiments (Forces, Motion & Energy)
Physics explains how things move and why objects speed up, slow down, or vibrate.
These activities demonstrate pushes, pressure, and energy transfer:
- balloon rocket
- crushing soda can
- popsicle stick catapult
- sound wave experiment
- chain reaction experiment
Explore more motion and energy investigations in our physics experiments for kids collection.
Water, Density & Liquids
Liquids behave differently based on how tightly their particles are packed. These experiments help kids predict whether objects float, sink, or layer.
Find additional floating and layering activities in our density experiments for kids resource.
Biology & Natural Science
Living things grow, adapt, and interact with their environment. These investigations help children recognize patterns in nature.
Continue exploring organisms and ecosystems in our biology science activities for kids hub.
Food Science (Kitchen Chemistry)
Food makes chemistry visible because changes happen quickly and safely. Kids can watch molecules react, move, and transform.
- butter making experiment
- potato osmosis experiment
- ice cream freezing experiment
- sugar crystal experiment
Discover more edible investigations in our kitchen science experiments for kids collection.
Earth Science & Weather
Earth science explains the air, water, and land systems around us. These experiments model real environmental processes.
Explore additional environmental investigations in our earth science activities for kids collection.
Explore Science by Topic
After trying a few experiments, kids often want to understand why things happened. These subject guides group activities together so concepts build on each other instead of feeling random.
Explore deeper explanations and related investigations in:
- chemistry experiments for kids — reactions, mixtures, acids, and changes in matter
- physics experiments for kids — motion, forces, sound, and energy transfer
- earth science activities for kids — weather, water systems, landforms, and climate
- biology science activities for kids — plants, animals, and living systems
Follow a Science Learning Path
Some learners prefer connected lessons instead of single activities. The pathways below organize experiments into a step-by-step understanding, similar to a mini-curriculum.
Life Science Learning Path
Living things grow, adapt, and depend on their environment. These activities help kids see how organisms survive and interact.
Explore the full life science activities for kids pathway, including:
plant life cycles — how plants sprout, grow, and reproduce
animal adaptations — traits that help survival
ecosystems & food chains — how energy moves through nature
Matter & Chemistry Learning Path
Chemistry becomes easier when concepts connect. Start with what matter is, then move into how it changes.
states of matter — solids, liquids, and gases
physical vs chemical changes — identifying new substances
solutions & mixtures — dissolving and separating materials
Forces & Physics Learning Path
Physics explains motion and energy in everyday life. These investigations gradually build understanding from simple pushes to invisible forces.
forces and motion — pushes, pulls, and movement
sound and vibration — energy traveling through materials
heat transfer — how temperature moves between objects
Choose by Age
If you prefer age-appropriate starting points, these collections group activities by developmental level.
- science activities for toddlers
- science activities for preschoolers
- science for kindergarten
- elementary science activities
- middle school science experiments
Turn an Experiment Into a Science Fair Project
A science fair project isn’t a different activity — it’s a deeper investigation. Start with an experiment, repeat it, change one variable, and record results.
Use these guides to plan and organize your project:
- science fair project ideas
- science project planning tips
- writing a hypothesis
- variables in science experiments
- science fair board layout guide
What Is the Scientific Method
The scientific method is the process scientists use to figure out how things work. Kids naturally follow the same steps whenever they experiment. They wonder what will happen, test it, and look at the results.
- Ask a question — What do you want to find out?
- Make a prediction — What do you think will happen?
- Test it — Try the experiment.
- Observe — Watch carefully and record what changes.
- Draw a conclusion — Did your prediction match the results?
Repeating an experiment and changing one factor at a time helps children understand cause and effect. This is the foundation of real scientific thinking.
👉 Learn more about applying these steps in our scientific method for kids guide.
Extend Learning With STEM & Engineering
Science helps us understand how the world works. Engineering uses that knowledge to solve problems and build useful things. After trying experiments, kids can apply what they learned by designing, testing, and improving their own creations.
Try challenges like building structures, launching moving vehicles, or creating simple machines using everyday materials. These activities encourage problem solving, creativity, and persistence.
Explore more ideas in our engineering projects for kids, STEM activities for kids, and LEGO STEM activities collections.
Extend Your Science
If your kids enjoyed these hands-on solutions and dissolving experiments, take their science further with our Classic Science Activities Pack — 90+ easy, printable chemistry and STEM activities complete with recording pages and extension ideas. Perfect for homeschool, classroom centers, or family science nights.
Safety Tips
Supervise younger children and avoid tasting unknown mixtures. Most experiments use common household materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age are these science experiments best for?
Most activities work well for ages 5–12. Younger children can participate with adult help, while older kids can run the experiments independently and record results.
Do I need special science equipment?
No. Nearly all experiments use everyday household supplies like baking soda, vinegar, water, food coloring, and common kitchen items.
Can these experiments be used for science fair projects?
Yes. Choose an experiment, repeat it several times, change one variable, and record your observations to turn it into a full science project.
How long does a typical experiment take?
Many activities take less than 10 minutes to set up and complete, while growing, weather, or biology investigations may take several days.
Are the experiments safe?
The activities use kid-friendly materials, but adult supervision is recommended. Avoid tasting mixtures and wash hands after experimenting.
Start Exploring
Pick one experiment and try it today — every test leads to discovery.
